Dr. Isaac (“Ike”) Francis Baarda died in his sleep on May 20, 2015. He was the eldest of four sons that were born to John and Pansy Mae Smith Baarda and was born on May 21, 1931 at Newton, Iowa.
Isaac (“Ike”) attended a rural one-room country school near Newton, Iowa, through the eighth grade. He then attended Newton High School and graduated in 1949 (one of the “49ers”, so named after the great California gold rush of 1849).
He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa, during the academic year of 1949-1950. He took a break from college in 1950 and joined the Air Force for a four-year stint. This was during the Korean conflict. He returned to Central College for the 1954-1955 academic year he received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Central in Chemistry in 1958.
Ike then attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. In 1959 he wrote his thesis, titled: “Silver Complexes of Riboflavin and Related Compounds “, and he received a Master of Science degree in biochemistry. He next wrote a Dissertation titled: “Growth Characteristics of Mutant Strains of Escherichia Coli” awarding him his PhD in Microbiology. He taught and trained nurses while there.
Ike’s first job was in bacteriological research at Monsanto Chemical Company in St. Louis, Missouri.
Other jobs and transfers led him to Metro Water and Sewage where he was a principal chemist, in Nashville, Tennessee. After he retired, he invented a water purification process that could be used in disaster areas. He served as a deacon and sang in the choir of his church and mentored a number of Christians.
He was preceded in death by first wife of 26 years, Junice Vetter Baarda, his father, John Baarda, his mother, Pansy Mae Baarda, his brother, Charles Baarda, his grandson, Wesley Edgin, and his sister-in-law Estellene Baarda.
He is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Billye Gwyn Riner Baarda of Nashville, Tennessee, three daughters and their spouses, Maelene and Rick Ford of LaVergne, Tennessee, Cherylee and Scott Edgin of Hazard, Kentucky, and Rachelle Baarda and Richard Castle of Wittensville, Kentucky, one son, Shayne Baarda of Nashville, Tennessee, two grandchildren and their spouses; Janessa and Arthur Melton of Hazard, Kentucky; Daniel and Brandy Baltz of San Diego, California, and granddaughter Megan Baltz of Mt. Juliet; four great-grandchildren, Brandon and Justin Melton, Jagger and Della Baltz; brother Dr. David G. Baarda and his wife, Elizabeth of Milledgeville, Georgia, brother, Dr. James R. Baarda of Haymarket, Virginia, three nieces, Joanna Fish, Beth Baarda, and Laura Baarda, grandnieces, Emily Elizabeth Fish and Allison Lee Fish, grandnephews John David and Andrew Lee Fish and very special cousins, Lois and John Lanser of Pella, Iowa.
Military Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, June 29, 2015 at the Nashville National Cemetery, 1420 Gallatin Pike S, Madison, TN 37115.
A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be conducted at 1:30 PM on Saturday, July 25, 2015 at the First Baptist Church, 375 Old Nashville Hwy, LaVergne, TN, 37086.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dr. Isaac F. Baarda Memorial Fund at any First Tennessee Bank.
NASHVILLE FUNERAL AND CREMATION 615-256-1605
For the short time I was acquainted with Ike I thought him to have a great mind and a good sense of humor. I saw the love between his wife Billie and son, Shane. I will miss our infrequent talks and know he is missed by his family and close friends. God has him now and won’t it be a glorious day when all get to be with them again.
I send my love and prayers to the family of Isaac Baarda. I think he could listen, talk and write about the Bible forever. I imagine him in heaven still having intellectual conversations about the Bible and what it means when it says this or that.
Nancy
Thinking of you… Heaven’s Gain….Prayers, Love, & Hugs……..
Sorry to hear of Ike’s passing. He was a very fun guy to be around. I would love to reconnect with Maelene, this is Carol Castle, also known now as Kira Castle, you can find me on FaceBook,& friend me. I now live in Wisconsin. Blessings to all your family.